[Verse 1]
Outer banks of North Carolina
Lies a sleepy harbor town
Generations of old sailors
Dropped their sails and settled down

[Verse 2]
Sam, he is a young seafarer
Grandson of a schooner man
Catherine is a sailmaker's daughter
Today he's gonna take her hand

[Chorus]
Calm waters wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails

[Verse 3]
Catherine is a canvas painter
Paints the sun and sand and sea
Lately she's been painting a portrait
Sam, he is a dad to be

[Chorus]
Calm waters wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails
[Verse 4]
January brought the fever
Sam was right there by her side
Doctor told him, "Son, I'm sorry
But Catherine needs your prayers tonight"

[Verse 5]
Morning light brought Sam a daughter
Fever took his better half
Sam gave Catherine to the water
As he held their baby to his chest

[Chorus]
Calm waters wish them well
His ship's come in
She's put the wind in his sails

[Outro]
His ship came in
But she took the wind from his sails